7 ¹ WHEN HE HAD FINISHED addressing the people, he went to Capernaum. 7 ² A centurion there had a servant whom he valued highly; this servant was ill and near to death. 7 ³ Hearing about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders with the request that he would come and save his servant's life. 7 ⁴ They approached Jesus and pressed their petition earnestly: 'He deserves this favour from you,' 7 ⁵ they said, 'for he is a friend of our nation and it is he who built us our synagogue.' 7 ⁶ Jesus went with them; but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends with this message: 'Do not trouble further, sir; it is not for me to have you under my roof, 7 ⁷ and that is why I did not presume to approach you in person. 7 ⁸ But say the word and my servant will be cured. I know, for in my position I am myself under orders, with soldiers under me. I say to one, "Go", and he goes; to another, "Come here", and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this", and he does it.' 7 ⁹ When Jesus heard this, he admired the man, and, turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, 'I tell you, nowhere, even in Israel, have I found faith like this.' 7 ¹⁰ And the messengers returned to the house and found the servant in good health.